Private Lessons
Private Lessons
Con Brio Music offers private instruction for all levels and all ages on a variety of instruments. Lessons are typically once a week for half an hour. Students need not have any experience in music, but are required to have their own instrument. Instruments can be rented from numerous stores in the Victoria area, often for under $20/month (depending on the instrument). Further information can be obtained from your private teacher, who will also provide you with the necessary repertoire.
Most of our instructors provide students with the opportunity to perform for each other on a monthly basis, and all of Con Brio's students are invited to participate in Con Brio's Christmas and year-end recitals. Performance is, however, not necessary and is not overly emphasized unless this is the student's desire. At Con Brio we are committed to inspiring young (and old!) musicians. Although a high standard of musicality is both taught and encouraged, our number one priority is not to the music, but to the students themselves. As teachers, we choose to measure success in three ways: Firstly, and least importantly, we measure success by a student's performance. Secondly, and only slightly more importantly, we measure success through individual progress. Thirdly, most importantly and above everything else, we measure success by the degree of our students' personal love of music and their growing confidence in themselves both as musicians and as individuals.
If you would like more information about our instructors' musical backgrounds or teaching experience, please visit our Instructor Bios page. Should you require further information about individual lessons, do not hesitate to contact one of our instructors directly. For general inquiries about Con Brio, please contact Bronwyn van Vugt at , or through our 'contact us' page.
Schedules
Private lessons are offered at various times throughout the week. Please contact the individual instructors to see what days and times are available. Links to e-mail addresses can be found on the Instructor Bios page. Please note that our instructors are most flexible during regular school hours.
Lesson Fees for September 2009 - August 2010
Lesson fees are payable monthly, based on the day of the week and the length of the lesson:
| 30-minute | 45-minute | 60-minute | |
| Sunday | $70.00 | $105.00 | $140.00 |
| Monday | $75.00 | $112.50 | $150.00 |
| Tuesday | $80.00 | $120.00 | $160.00 |
| Wednesday | $80.00 | $120.00 | $160.00 |
| Thursday | $80.00 | $120.00 | $160.00 |
| Friday | $80.00 | $120.00 | $160.00 |
| Saturday | $75.00 | $112.50 | $150.00 |
Monthly Fees must be paid in the form of post-dated cheques, marked for the first of each month (Sept. - June). All ten of these cheques are due at the time of registration, or by the first lesson of the year (in September).
There is a $35 annual registration fee ($50 per family). This is due at the time of registration, and is non-refundable.
Students will most likely need repertoire book(s). Your teacher will advise you as to what you need. Book/repertoire costs are not included in the fees.
All cheques should be made out to Con Brio Music
Studio Policies
Lessons
Plan to arrive about five minutes before your lesson begins. If you are a piano student, please wash your hands upon arrival (so we don't spread our germs on the keyboard). Your teacher will come get you in the waiting room when it is time for your lesson. If your teacher happens to be running late (our apologies!), your time will be made up at the end of the lesson. Parents/siblings are welcome to stay in the waiting room, but please keep noise to a minimum, so as not to disturb the lessons. Books and colouring are available for your enjoyment, but please cleanup after yourselves so that the next people can enjoy them too!
Performing
Performance is never mandatory, but we do encourage you to take part in what Con Brio has to offer. Individual teachers will inform you about upcoming master-classes and informal performances. All piano students are invited to our monthly Piano Parties (dates listed below). These are drop-in events. Ask your teacher for more information. Finally, Con Brio offers all students the opportunity to perform in our student recitals, one in December and one in June. These, again, are optional, but are open to everyone regardless of age or ability. These recitals are slightly more formal, and will have a program, so sign-up is necessary. Sign up sheets will be available closer to the dates.
Missed Lessons
All lessons missed due to a teacher's absence will be made up. Because of scheduling restraints, we are unable to make-up student missed lessons. If a scheduling conflict occurs, you may wish to ask your teacher for the phone numbers of other students in order to do a one-time lesson swap.
Withdrawing from Lessons
Should you need to withdraw from lessons at any time, you may do so with one month's notice. (i.e. If notice is given on or by March 31st, your cheques for the months of May and June will be returned to you. Lessons will continue as regular throughout April).
Scheduling
Your weekly lesson time will be determined at the time of registration. As Con Brio is a growing studio with limited space, we cannot guarantee that a different lesson time will be available, should a scheduling conflict arise during the year. Please plan accordingly and schedule things around your given lesson time.
Payments
Payments are collected in the form of postdated cheques marked for the first of each month, Sep-tember to June. Cheques should be made out to “Con Brio Music” for the monthly amounts listed in the tables below. All ten cheques are due by the second lesson.
If you wish to make payments in any way other than ten postdated cheques for the monthly amount, received by the second lesson, there will be an extra administrative cost of $50/year.
Overdue Fines
An additional fee of $30.00 will be charged for all NSF cheques.
If a payment is not received by the first of the month, a late fee of $2 per day will apply.
If payments are not up to date, lessons will be terminated once payments are one month overdue. (i.e. If we have not received payment for October 1st, lessons will be terminated beginning November 1st until payments have been received).
